Former England player and commentator Ian Botham, criticised English's Team on the Ashes preparations. Image credit: AFP
(The Post News) – Former England all-rounder Ian Botham has publicly criticised England’s approach to the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, expressing concern over the team’s limited preparation. England are scheduled to play only one three-day warm-up match against the England Lions at Lilac Hill before the five-Test contest begins on November 21 in Perth.
Botham, who was part of England’s victorious Ashes sides in the 1970s and 1980s, questioned the wisdom of such minimal preparation, describing it as “bordering on arrogance.” Speaking on the Old Boys, New Balls podcast, he said: “I am worried. We are going to wander in and have a little game with the ‘A’ team, ‘Alright mate, how are you? Good on you and then we are going to go and perform? Not one (state match), which borders on arrogance. You have got to give yourself the chance. They are saying we play too much cricket, I don’t think you play enough.”
Botham warned that the conditions in Australia including the heat, hard and bouncy pitches, and intense home support make the challenge even tougher. “You are not playing against the Australian cricket team, you are playing against Australia 24.5 million people,” he added.
England, led by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, have named a 16-player squad for the series as they attempt to reclaim the Ashes for the first time since 2015 and secure their first series win in Australia since 2011.
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